Spatio-temporal variation of plastic pellets dispersion in the coastline of Sri Lanka: An assessment of pellets originated from the X-Press Pearl incident during the Southwest monsoon in 2021

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2022-11, Vol.184, p.114145-114145, Article 114145
• Main Authors: Jayathilaka, R.M.R.M., Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P., Indika, K.W., Arulananthan, K., Kithsiri, H.M.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Future spills; Pellet dispersion; Pellet pollution index; Upper ocean dynamics
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114145

The objective of the research was to assess the spatio-temporal variation of plastic pellets dispersion in the coastline of Sri Lanka concerning the most tragic maritime accident of the cargo vessel; MV X-Press Pearl. Field sampling was carried in three intensive surveys during May and July 2021. A dry sieving procedure was employed to separate pellets followed by a chemical characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. A pellet pollution index (PPI) was determined to compare the degree of pellet pollution. The dispersion peaked two weeks after the spill, with severe pollution levels (PPI: Extreme) found in about 40 % of the coastal stretch from Matara to Kalpitiya. The occurrence of pellets was lower on the Northeast coast of the island compared to the South-west coast. No pellets were recorded from the Northern coast (PPI: Very low). The connection between pollution levels and upper ocean dynamics were explored, with the findings being utilized to track plastic pellets for future spills. •About 40% of the coastal stretch from Matara to Kalpitiya found in very high degree of pollution.•The pellets discovered on Sri Lanka's eastern coast indicate to their arrival via the Sri Lanka Dome.•The absence of pellets in the Northern coastline of Sri Lanka indicates that the pellets haven’t been transported through the Polk strait.•The dispersion of the pellets indicates that ocean current patterns are the primary determinants of their ocean transport.